Latest news with #Utica
CNN
6 days ago
- General
- CNN
Former New York prison guard pleads guilty in connection with inmate's beating death
CrimeFacebookTweetLink Follow A former upstate New York prison guard pleaded guilty Friday for his role in what prosecutors called a coverup of the beating death of inmate by fellow guards. Joshua Bartlett entered guilty pleas to hindering prosecution and falsifying records, both felonies, in connection with the March 1 death of Messiah Nantwi at Mid-State Correctional Facility in Marcy, near Utica. Bartlett appeared for a hearing in Oneida County Court in Utica, where sentencing was set for August 8. Ten correction officers, not including Bartlett, were indicted in connection with the fatal beating. Two of the 10, Jonah Levi and Caleb Blair, are charged with second-degree murder. All 10 have pleaded not guilty. Bartlett is the first guard to plead guilty in connection with the case. Nantwi died from injuries he sustained in a series of beatings by guards that began in his room and continued even when he was lying handcuffed on the floor of the infirmary, the indictment says. Bartlett was accused of helping other guards cover up what happened, including filing a false use-of-force report. Bartlett was beaten after an emergency response team was called to Nantwi's room to help National Guard members who became concerned when he involved himself in another inmate's effort to obtain medication and was resistant during a headcount, according to prosecutors. The National Guard was deployed to Mid-State and other prisons because of an unauthorized, three-week strike by guards who were upset over working conditions. The situation was resolved by the time the response team arrived. Nantwi objected to being handcuffed for no apparent reason and grabbed Bartlett's vest, with several guards immediately raining blows on his head and body using their fists, batons and boots, the indictment said. The attack intensified when Nantwi bit the hands of two guards, prosecutors said. Nantwi became unresponsive and guards transported him toward the infirmary, but he was assaulted a second time in a stairwell, according to prosecutors. Nantwi died several months after Robert Brooks was fatally beaten at the Marcy Correctional Facility near the Mid-State prison. Six guards were charged with second-degree murder in Brooks' December 9 beating. One of those guards pleaded guilty earlier this month to first-degree manslaughter under a plea deal. Another three prison employees were charged with manslaughter in the Brooks case and an another officer pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of attempted tampering with physical evidence. Bartlett was among 18 guards, including the 10 who were indicted, who either resigned or were suspended after Nantwi's death. Prosecutors have said several guards who weren't indicted agreed to cooperate with authorities.
CNN
6 days ago
- General
- CNN
Former New York prison guard pleads guilty in connection with inmate's beating death
CrimeFacebookTweetLink Follow A former upstate New York prison guard pleaded guilty Friday for his role in what prosecutors called a coverup of the beating death of inmate by fellow guards. Joshua Bartlett entered guilty pleas to hindering prosecution and falsifying records, both felonies, in connection with the March 1 death of Messiah Nantwi at Mid-State Correctional Facility in Marcy, near Utica. Bartlett appeared for a hearing in Oneida County Court in Utica, where sentencing was set for August 8. Ten correction officers, not including Bartlett, were indicted in connection with the fatal beating. Two of the 10, Jonah Levi and Caleb Blair, are charged with second-degree murder. All 10 have pleaded not guilty. Bartlett is the first guard to plead guilty in connection with the case. Nantwi died from injuries he sustained in a series of beatings by guards that began in his room and continued even when he was lying handcuffed on the floor of the infirmary, the indictment says. Bartlett was accused of helping other guards cover up what happened, including filing a false use-of-force report. Bartlett was beaten after an emergency response team was called to Nantwi's room to help National Guard members who became concerned when he involved himself in another inmate's effort to obtain medication and was resistant during a headcount, according to prosecutors. The National Guard was deployed to Mid-State and other prisons because of an unauthorized, three-week strike by guards who were upset over working conditions. The situation was resolved by the time the response team arrived. Nantwi objected to being handcuffed for no apparent reason and grabbed Bartlett's vest, with several guards immediately raining blows on his head and body using their fists, batons and boots, the indictment said. The attack intensified when Nantwi bit the hands of two guards, prosecutors said. Nantwi became unresponsive and guards transported him toward the infirmary, but he was assaulted a second time in a stairwell, according to prosecutors. Nantwi died several months after Robert Brooks was fatally beaten at the Marcy Correctional Facility near the Mid-State prison. Six guards were charged with second-degree murder in Brooks' December 9 beating. One of those guards pleaded guilty earlier this month to first-degree manslaughter under a plea deal. Another three prison employees were charged with manslaughter in the Brooks case and an another officer pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of attempted tampering with physical evidence. Bartlett was among 18 guards, including the 10 who were indicted, who either resigned or were suspended after Nantwi's death. Prosecutors have said several guards who weren't indicted agreed to cooperate with authorities.
The Independent
7 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Former New York prison guard pleads guilty in connection with inmate's beating death
A former upstate New York prison guard pleaded guilty Friday for his role in what prosecutors called a coverup of the beating death of inmate by fellow guards. Joshua Bartlett entered guilty pleas to hindering prosecution and falsifying records, both felonies, in connection with the March 1 death of Messiah Nantwi at Mid-State Correctional Facility in Marcy, near Utica. Bartlett appeared for a hearing in Oneida County Court in Utica, where sentencing was set for Aug. 8. Ten correction officers, not including Bartlett, were indicted in connection with the fatal beating. Two of the 10, Jonah Levi and Caleb Blair, are charged with second-degree murder. All 10 have pleaded not guilty. Bartlett is the first guard to plead guilty in connection with the case. Nantwi died from injuries he sustained in a series of beatings by guards that began in his room and continued even when he was lying handcuffed on the floor of the infirmary, the indictment says. Bartlett was accused of helping other guards cover up what happened, including filing a false use-of-force report. Bartlett was beaten after an emergency response team was called to Nantwi's room to help National Guard members who became concerned when he involved himself in another inmate's effort to obtain medication and was resistant during a headcount, according to prosecutors. The National Guard was deployed to Mid-State and other prisons because of an unauthorized, three-week strike by guards who were upset over working conditions. The situation was resolved by the time the response team arrived. Nantwi objected to being handcuffed for no apparent reason and grabbed Bartlett's vest, with several guards immediately raining blows on his head and body using their fists, batons and boots, the indictment said. The attack intensified when Nantwi bit the hands of two guards, prosecutors said. Nantwi became unresponsive and guards transported him toward the infirmary, but he was assaulted a second time in a stairwell, according to prosecutors. Nantwi died several months after Robert Brooks was fatally beaten at the Marcy Correctional Facility near the Mid-State prison. Six guards were charged with second-degree murder in Brooks' Dec. 9 beating. One of those guards pleaded guilty earlier this month to first-degree manslaughter under a plea deal. Another three prison employees were charged with manslaughter in the Brooks case and an another officer pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of attempted tampering with physical evidence. Bartlett was among 18 guards, including the 10 who were indicted, who either resigned or were suspended after Nantwi's death. Prosecutors have said several guards who weren't indicted agreed to cooperate with authorities.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Teenagers, on way home from prom, lauded as heroes for helping family evacuate from fire
Correction: The Whitesboro junior prom was held May 17. The story was updated with the correct date Three teenagers are being lauded as heroes by the Maynard Fire Department for their quick action when a family's garage caught fire and threatened to do the same to the home. Maynard Fire Chief Jared Pearl said a group of teenagers were leaving the Whitesboro High School Junior Prom on May 17 when they saw the fire. 'Three young gentlemen were dropping off their dates after the Whitesboro Junior Prom, traveling along Cavanaugh Road, and they came across the garage fire, and by then, it was fully involved,' Pearl said. UPDATE: Teenagers didn't expect attention after saving family from Whitesboro fire Pearl said the teenagers were Aiden Kane, Tyler Sodja and Donato Jellenich. The garage was detached from the building, and Pearl said the fire was so hot that it was melting the house's siding. And the family had no clue, as they were all on the other side of the house, away from the fire. It was by sheer luck that one of their dates lived across the street. '[Kane] ran across the street and banged on the door and told them what was happening,' Pearl said. A father and his two daughters were inside the building. Pearl said Kane helped the girls across the street, where they were comforted by Morgan Randall. Meanwhile, Sodja checked the garage, and Jellenich called 911. Pearl said there's a belief that the younger generations are more laid back, however, these teenagers showed different in their composure and fast-thinking actions. 'If they didn't do this, if they didn't get everyone out and call 911, it may have been three to four minutes before we got there,' Chief Pearl said. 'And by then, the house would have been fully involved.' 'They saved this family,' he concluded. Development: Utica to celebrate grand opening of Harbor Point on June 5. What to know More: Two more Marcy COs turn down plea deal in Robert Brooks case, will instead face trial And after speaking with the youths, Pearl only had more praise. 'They were nothing but humble,' the chief said. 'They don't look at themselves as heroes. But they saved this family, and it could have gone the other way within minutes. It's outstanding.' The Maynard Fire Department arrived on the scene shortly after the call went out and was joined by Whitesboro Fire Department. They were able to put the fire out quickly enough. 'For a horrible situation, it came together well,' Pearl said. 'And it's all because of these young kids.' This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Whitesboro High School prom students alert family to house fire
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Comet will not face criminal charges in UK
YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) — A former Utica Comet will not face any criminal charges in England, according to prosecutors. The New York Times first reported on Tuesday, April 29 that The Crown Prosecution Service — an independent organization that prosecutes criminal cases in England and Wales — will not be seeking a conviction against Matt Petgrave, who was being held in England on suspicion of manslaughter. The organization received the case from police almost a year ago — in May 2024 — and has spent the subsequent year reviewing the case. Petgrave was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after a 2023 incident when he was playing for the Elite Ice Hockey League's Sheffield Steelers. In a collision with the Nottingham Panthers' Adam Johnson, Johnson suffered a cut to his neck, which led to his death. Deputy chief crown prosecutor Michael Quinn told The Athletic in Petgrave's case 'there is not a realistic prospect of conviction for any criminal offence and so there will not be a prosecution.' Petgrave was told to remain in the United Kingdom while the case was being investigated. In that time, his bail was extended eight times, most recently in February. The incident has brought forth a flurry of regulations to prevent a repeat incident. After Johnson's death, a majority of hockey leagues — including the NHL, AHL and Elite Ice Hockey League — require all players to wear neck guards. Petgrave spent parts of two seasons with the Comets, in 2018-19 and 2019-20. He also spent time with the Laval Rocket, Belleville Senators and Syracuse Crunch. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
